NorthEdge supports Helios Global Group complete first acquisition of HEOR and market access specialist, Cogentia, following a strong period of growth
Helios, a full-service global healthcare communications group, backed by NorthEdge since 2021, has acquired Cogentia, a leading Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) and market access firm, to further expand its specialist services and increase its global talent base.
Cogentia undertakes research and data-led health analysis for a range of global pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, supporting them in getting their products to market and ensuring patient uptake.
Based in Cambridge, Cogentia is recognised as one of the UK's leading market access consultancies, handling projects across numerous therapeutic areas in markets throughout the world.
For Helios, the new partnership with Cogentia will bolster the Group’s service offering to the life sciences sector, furthering their mission of improving global health outcomes.
Andrew Minnock, CEO of Helios, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Cogentia to the Helios group and this marks another significant step in the evolution of the company. Adding the hugely important area of HEOR and market access to our service offering aligns with our long-standing strategic goals and will add another layer to our global capabilities for clients."
James Morris, Founder and Director at Cogentia, said: “Like Helios, Cogentia has a proven track record in innovation and growth. Bringing together two market leaders with aligned people-focused cultures, outstanding reputations for quality, and a commitment to creating strong client partnerships, will strengthen our market positioning, enhance our solutions, and create development opportunities for our teams.
“We're looking forward to building on our collective successes over the coming years.”
The acquisition of Cogentia represents an important milestone in Helios’ journey and builds on a hugely successful partnership with NorthEdge.
Since the investment in 2021, Helios has more than doubled its revenues, grown its headcount from 100 to 250, and expanded its global operations across Manchester, Oxford, and Connecticut in the USA.
Helios has also placed significant focus on its ESG progress, recognising its role in delivering long-term stakeholder value, which resulted in the business being awarded the EcoVadis Silver Medal for Sustainability in November 2023.
Phil Frame, Partner at NorthEdge, said: “At NorthEdge we’re committed to helping leadership teams build strong and sustainable businesses. We have seen the Helios team prove their continued commitment to excellence, working closely with their colleagues and clients to deliver projects of huge global significance that improve patient outcomes, all whilst implementing strategically important initiatives that support the long-term ambitions of the business.
“The acquisition of Cogentia sees this ambitious mindset continue, allowing the group to offer even more comprehensive support to their clients.”
Andrew added: “NorthEdge’s ongoing support has been fundamental in helping us to achieve our ambitions for Helios. From the beginning of our partnership, the team have understood the power of our people and provided support to help us realise our vision – this new partnership with Cogentia is a perfect example of their continued commitment.”
The company was advised by Hill Dickinson (legal), Cortus (FDD), and Yellow Insights (CDD).
About NorthEdge
NorthEdge is a lower mid-market private equity firm headquartered in the North, owned, and built by its senior team, supported by a global blue chip investor base. They have £900m AUM across four regionally focused funds.
Headquartered in Manchester, with offices in Leeds and Birmingham, the NorthEdge team have a 25-year track record of investing in businesses with ambitious management teams and significant growth potential. Its current portfolio of 27 businesses employs over 8,000 people.
NorthEdge look to invest in like-minded businesses and management teams who have real ambition and the potential to shape global markets. They back management teams, in the Technology, Healthcare, Business Services and Specialised Industrials sectors, who recognise the value of having an experienced business partner alongside them, supporting them to build a better business.
About Helios Global Group
Helios Global Group is a full-service healthcare communications group working with some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotech clients. Supporting clients within the medical affairs and commercial function, the group provides strategic consultancy, medical and scientific communications, and commercialisation solutions. Headquartered in Alderley Edge, Cheshire with further UK offices in Oxford and Manchester, and an expanding US base in Connecticut, Helios employs over 250 healthcare communications professionals.
About Cogentia
Founded in 2010, Cogentia is recognised as one of the UK's leading market access consultancies, delivering projects which range from gauging the potential of early discoveries through to adjusting the pricing of mature products, operating across all major therapeutic areas in all markets around the world. Based in Cambridge, UK, the company employs a highly experienced team of market access, and health economics and outcomes research professionals. The group works with pharmaceutical, biotech, device and diagnostic companies supporting their products throughout their lifecycles.
